What Will You Do With Your Gifts?

When I asked my children to make a list for Christmas, I told them to think in terms of tools that will help them with their mission in life. I also encouraged them to choose things that could make their life easier in ways that help them accomplish their goals.

At our annual nativity supper on Christmas Eve, I brought up the question, "What will you do with your gifts?" I was referring to all kinds of gifts, the ones we receive on Christmas, the ones we are given in this life, and the gifts we don't recognize as such and their significance.

What will you do about Christmas Gifts?
Are the gifts under the tree going to help you be a better person? Or will they distract you from your goals? Do these gifts increase your capacity or diminish it?

What will you do with intangible gifts?
Are the gifts of knowledge, music or art going to be used for your own gain? Or to bless others? Are these gifts for self making? Or making the world a better place? I promised them that if they used their gifts to bless others, their talents and capacity would increase. If it was all for their own benefit, their capacity and talent would decrease.

What will you do with the gifts of pain and difficulty?

Are we able to turn weaknesses and the weaknesses of others to develop within us qualities such as patience, kindness and non judgmental attitudes? Do we see problems with gifts in their hands?

What will you do with your unique gifts as a family member?

Each family member has gifts that bless us as a family. Each child had a turn as we verbalized their gifts out loud. Here are some of the gifts of my children that the world might not recognize, but bring light and healing to a home. One child has the gift of receiving correction. Her text a few days after Christmas said: "Mom you really love me. You correct me. Isn't that interesting that being willing to correct someone is an important part of love?" Another child has the gift of saying, "I'm sorry." Christmas Eve he said, "Mom, I'm so sorry I haven't been cooperative these last few weeks. Mom, I'm so sorry. I'll do better." Another child has the gift of knowing exactly what needs to happen. Another has the gift of quiet gentleness and compassion. Another has the gift of action. Another has the gift of leadership. Another has the gift of creating healthy relationships. Another has the gift of sensitivity. My husband has the gift of loyalty. How wonderful that they all have different gifts so that we learn to appreciate each other.

What will you do about THE Gift?

The Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the giver of every good gift, the example of every worthy attribute, the source of power and life to our lives is the gift. His gift of the atonement made every other gift operable, meaningful and possible. Every good thing in my life is because of the Savior, his birth, His example, His Atonement and His love. What we do shows our gratitude for His gift. What we live is our gift to Him and will determine our happiness, now and forever.

What Will I Be Known For?

I have been reading about my ancestors. The thousands of thoughts, desires, decisions and actions are often condensed to a few pages. Just a few pages. That is all I have to understand who they were and what they will be known for. This lead me to a stark thought early one morning while in my contemplative state: What will I be known for? After all the days are wrapped into memories, what will those around me see as the sum of who I am? I lamented to my son that morning I would never be known for being a loving mom, because my expectations were high,I want to get things done, and I push hard. He said to me, "Mom you are charity with a hard hat!" I choose to feel comforted by that thought.

A valid daily question is "What will I be known for?" As I look through the accounts of my ancestors I realize that more than their accomplishments, what was evident was what they were working towards and where their hearts were turned. What we are striving to become may define us more than our accomplishments.

What am I striving to become? I want to be known as a loving person with a grateful heart. But that isn't what I am doing now. So today I begin with the counsel from President Monson: "A grateful heart … comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives." In that spirit, today I express thanks to the following and what they have brought into my life; a few things out of the thousands of blessings I could list.

To my husband for being loyal to God and to the family and to me. For taking care of many night feedings when the children were babies, loving me unconditionally, taking pictures and making Sunday dinner three times this month.

To my children who have taught me life's lessons, joy, love, patience, hope and everything that has meaning to me in my life. For the surprise trip to Manti they planned for Dale and me, praying for my health, hugs, letting me read to them, standing by me for support, great conversations, and repairing the front door and broken chair this week.

To my parents who taught me to work hard and love others. For teaching me by example to love the Lord and my fellowmen. They give unselfishly without end every day of their lives. For encouraging reading when I was young, the trip to Hawaii, listening to me even when I am obnoxious, giving me hugs, the piano, and their continual outpouring of faith in me.

To Roger and Melanie Hoffman for their music Scripture Scouts, the music that saved the day then and now.

For the Egermeier's Bible Story Book, the stories that built faith and wonderful reading memories with my children.

To C.S. Lewis for the Narnia series, that we all love and adore.

Jaime Hilton for teaching my children piano for many years. My home is filled with beautiful music because of her love of music and children.

For masking tape that holds up the many quotes, posters and goals through the years. For duct tape that repairs many things.

The Lego Company. For many, many, happy hours.

Riverton Music, Lyon and Healy and Shar Music for selling musical instruments. We now have beautiful violin, viola, flute, harp, cello, and trumpet players.

For the prophets who give eternal, divine counsel that has guided and protected us, especially Elder Klebingat's talk this last conference to "take responsibility for your own spiritual well being." And President Monson's counsel, "We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude."

To the Savior for the continual pouring of ideas and comfort and blessings as I seek to raise a family to Him. For His atonement which provides power and encouragement to act and move forward as well as forgiveness for my sins and shortcomings.

There is the hope that my "hardhat" desires to push forward can be accompanied by an outpouring of gratitude that will reflect love of God and of my fellowmen. And that is what I want to be known for.

Counsel in a Council in a Family

Counsel in a council. The brilliance and spirit of group thinking can be stunning! I've seen this principle operate in business, educational and church settings.

But! I love it, absolutely love it, love it, LOVE IT! when it happens in the family. Whether around the table in our weekly family meeting, or one on one in a phone conversation the exhilaration is there. The solutions and ideas that come through individual expression and willingness to work among family members is a glorious prize.

A few of my favorite council moments of insight, help and ideas:

Our family council tablecloth with washable markers produced this illustration from one son that wanted to explain how justice and mercy are all mixed up when the family rules are foggy. He drew this at one meeting.

The family gathering around the table offered help to two daughters who started an art business. We cleaned up, fixed up and prepared an art studio.

Last week on the phone my daughter shared one of her favorite scriptures from Alma 26:6-7 about belonging to the Lord and being in the hands of the Lord of the harvest. It was beautiful. I had never pondered that scripture in a personal way before.

My son asked about family history and what does it mean when hearts turn to the fathers. We went to familysearch.org and found amazing information that was particularly helpful to me that week. I would never have found it had he not asked that question.

In discussion of 2 Nephi 11 we concluded together the principle: Pondering is essential to revelation. One child added, "God won't testify to a sack of rice."

The wonderful moment when my son offered to be manager of the garden. The charts and the descriptions and the discussion were a wonderful beginning to new understandings of stewardship and responsibility.

Our meetings are not always fruitful. Sometimes they are a bit of a mess. However, I've seen enough good come from our small efforts to encourage me to persist in seeking solutions together. From a discussion of the love the people had for their leaders, Moroni and Lehi, who sacrificed for them in Alma 53, one child concluded; "All the big ostentatious special government buildings, palaces, mansions, and congressional meetings are insignificant in comparison to a humble and peaceful home." And there it is. Perhaps if more answers are found in the family, there is less need for programs and politicians. And just maybe all the programs, committees and debates in government settings won't bring answers and peace and love like those possible in a family gathered around a table.

To Help Us Become What He Wants Us To Be

On Sunday I attended three primary sacrament meetings. There are few things that approach the delight of hearing simple and profound truths sung by children with all their hearts to their parents in the congregation.

Each primary sang this song:

The Family Is of God by Matthew Neeley

1. Our Father has a family. It’s me!
It’s you, all others too: we are His children.
He sent each one of us to earth, through birth,
To live and learn here in fam’lies.

2. A father’s place is to preside, provide,
To love and teach the gospel to his children.
A father leads in fam’ly prayer to share
Their love for Father in Heaven.

3. A mother’s purpose is to care, prepare,
To nurture and to strengthen all her children.
She teaches children to obey, to pray,
To love and serve in the fam’ly.

4. I’ll love and serve my family and be
A good example to each fam’ly member.
And when I am a mom or dad, so glad,
I’ll help my fam’ly remember:

Chorus
God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.

God gave us families! I already knew it. But I felt it! Again! I could feel the spirit fill the room and my heart with these truths about families. I was reminded that my family must be the focus of my most important, thoughts, plans, prayers and dreams of every day. And I appreciate the reminder that "families ...help us become what He wants us to be-" because there are no perfect families. And you know that gives me hope too. It is a process of becoming. This journey back home is a messy and challenging process. The thing that tugs so deeply at my heart is when I see my children and husband love and serve each other in the family. Our heart filled words and expressions to comfort, encourage, and obey bring a transforming power to our lives. And in those moments home is indeed a holy place.

Leaving Neverland

"You know what you need to do, Mom?" my daughter said, who left for college this week, "You need to leave Neverland!"

She was referring to the longing I sometimes show to have all my children home together and the mixed feelings I have as each child spreads their wings and leaves the nest. I suppose I want to freeze moments in time but then they would never grow up or get older. And that isn't what I want.

She is right. To grow and move on we must leave where we were in some way shape or form. It is called becoming. And when we do it in light and truth, it is called growth. It is called progress.

Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden to grow, to learn how to be like our Father in Heaven. Each on of us left the Heavenly Home to come to earth. We leave our earthly parents to form eternal family units, the most thrilling, challenging, truly magnificent adventure of all. Evidently we must be willing to leave behind conditions and places to make choices that help us become something. I've seen it. I've felt it. In my small corner, as my children come back after missions and college, there is so much more to share, there is so much more meaning and substance to the family table. So with courage I throw open the doors and say “Fly!” “Grow!” “Become!” And we will pray with you every step of the way.

Knowing that growth is for each one of us, I wonder, symbolically, what thoughts or beliefs must I leave behind to grow now? What is keeping me in Neverland emotionally or spiritually? Do I shrink back from opportunities outside my comfort zone, such as reaching out to others? Do I have fears or doubts that hold me back? Am I in a Neverland that inhibits growth?

Perhaps I’m not moving in a university dorm this weekend, but I can begin to learn and grow in ways similar to my daughter. New beginnings are for everyone who believes in the Atonement of Christ and His capacity to lift and bless. And God is willing to help us leave behind what doesn't serve us well and help us become like Him.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:

old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

-2 Corinthians 5:17

Clean Your Rooms!

Benjamin gave the family night lesson two weeks ago. It was brilliant; positively brilliant. He issued a family challenge. Each person was challenged to clean their bedroom. Really clean their bedroom. In two weeks, he would announce the winner according to a rubric that identified and graded each area. We were stunned, because his bedroom was not the model bedroom. For years it has been an unyielding monolith of clothes, books and papers that would be correctly designated; matter unorganized. Our attempts to encourage more order and cleanliness were not met with any kind of general understanding that a clean room had value. So the prospect of having everyone excited about the contest to clean rooms was thrilling!

The next question was even more brilliant! “What are the underlying scriptures and principles of a clean room?” He assigned us in teams for the quest. The “cleanliness is next to godliness,” team soon found that it is a wise saying but does not exist in the scriptures. Ideas suggested included:

Excessive things or lost items that steal our time take away from our capacity to accomplish the essential. Having too many things or focusing on things can become idolatry. "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)

We have a responsibility to take care of our earthly possessions. Our rooms are our stewardship. This idea is related to "every man shall be made accountable unto me, a steward over his own property," (Doctrine and Covenants 42:32)

Bedrooms could be inspiring places. This could be connected to the idea, "I will lift up mine eyes..." Bedrooms can be a source of strength as the remind us of Christ and covenants.

When we learn to take care of small things, we are ready to take care of bigger things. "Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.." (Matthew 25:21)

We can share our things with others. "Thou shalt open thine hand wide ... to thy poor..." (Deuteronomy 15:11)

Our homes should be orderly. They should be in the pattern of the temple. “Organize yourselves; … establish a house, even … a house of order, a house of God.” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:119)

We made a lot of progress in five bedrooms in those two weeks. There were bags to give away and bags taken to the garbage. Rooms were vacuumed; even under the bed. It was amazing! It was wonderful!

So what did I learn? Teenagers are full of delightful surprises! Cleaning that is encouraged by a child carries more power than cleaning encouraged by a parent. Clean rooms are in the pattern of heaven, inspiring and help us better focus on what matters. Thank you Ben! Thank you for inspiring us to do better, be better and live truth!

Sacred Time

"Time! Time!" The hobbit called in desperation for time to answer the riddle that would save his life, and there was the answer to the riddle.

Time. It is a riddle. It has me puzzled.

Listen to this statement by Keith B. McMullin: "It can be safely said: As we seek with all our hearts to bring forth and establish Zion, the vexations of too little time will disappear." (LDS General Conference 2002). Hmmmm........ How do I do what needs to be done? And what really needs to be done? And I could I be so possibly further behind each day? And how does that statement apply? One day this week, I was working at a deadline that was completely unforgiving. I longed for cooperation that wasn't coming. Instead the contention, whining and discontent settled in thick. Really thick. I felt completely defeated and knew it was one of those types of days where 20 minutes of work would take two hours, when it desperately needed to be the reverse.

I made the conscious decision to leave my tasks that had to be done before morning and pay attention to the two children. I walked away from what seemed absolutely critical and said I'm going to stop right now and read to my children. Within ten seconds the air was different. Night and day. How beautiful those moments were. But what was really amazing was, time multiplied that afternoon, and the list was accomplished easily. I thought I didn't have time for anything but the list. Sacred time. Heaven bent time for me.

Listening, conversations with my mom about her mom, comforting a frustrated child, praying together, encouraging conversation from someone withdrawn, offers to help, saying I'm sorry, acknowledging a good job, reading scriptures together, making plans, discovering new ideas together remind me that families need sacred time. They need time to forge the shield of faith. Time to strengthen bonds that will last for eternity. Time that is both sacred and holy because it is set apart in a way that makes us closer to each other and the Lord.

Going Home

We almost missed the plane - and didn’t make it home because we went to the wrong gate. My daughter and I were coming back to Salt Lake from the Dulles Airport with a two hour layover in Fort Worth, Texas. The plane was delayed about an hour; then spent another thirty minutes on the runway waiting for better weather and our turn to take off. No problem. We could make the connection with 20ish minutes and catch the Salt Lake plane if we moved quickly.

The crew announced the connecting flight to Salt Lake at gate C21. That is what I’m sure I heard. My daughter definitely heard B21. I decided to trust her hearing. We quickly grabbed our bags and pulling one and carrying the other, jumped on the B & D train that travels half way around the airport to take you to your gate. Off the train and down the escalator we went to B21. On the screen at gate B21 it says Kansas. Kansas! I knew it! Time was now short.

Definitely it was C21. I was right! So with about 15 minutes to plane takeoff, and huffing a little from her error and priding myself in thinking, I was right, we now ran our way back up the escalator and to the train. On the A & C train we stopped at A 1-20. Then we stopped at A 21-39. Then we stopped at C 1-20. Then, finally C 21-39. The minutes are ticking off. We now ran, I mean ran down the escalators to Gate C21. And the screen did not say Salt Lake City. I was wrong. Wrong! Where is the Salt Lake flight I asked? She said gate C31. I started running. She called out, “other way,” and we ran, I mean ran, to gate 31. It seemed forever away. The minutes were ticking by and at this point, there was clearly a likelihood the plane had closed up and was ready for takeoff. It was close to 9:00 and take off time was 9:05. I saw the gate and it was deserted. Not a soul at the gate but two very calm people behind the desk. “Can we still get on?” I asked in a pool of sweat and fear. “Yes.” she said. We made it! We made it! We barely made it! I crumpled into a happy sweat ball as we made our way down the hallway to board the plane.

What did I learn? Listen to the voices that you can trust. Be careful in matters of consequence what voices you listen to. When going home spiritually, we can always trust God, regardless of what anyone else is saying or doing. If you want to go home, ask the The One who knows the way home.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

- Proverbs 3:5-6

The Healing Power of Christ

Matthew 5

38 ¶Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

One son offered to lead the clean up after dinner. (He will remain nameless for this story. We are trying to protect the guilty.) I think he may have wanted to avoid a forthcoming disaster based on last night’s cleanup where another child (who also will remain nameless) had been in charge and been rather coercive according to some perceptions. Strong independent children resist being told what to do and often forget that we theoretically, generally, historically, realistically are on the same page and want the same things.

So what happened? Argument. Anger. Resistance. Indignation. Squeals. Crying. And surprisingly, a fairly clean kitchen. This was one of the goals. Then the root beer floats. The child in charge was told to dish up according to their performance. Disaster ahead. (Just warning you.) Wanting NOT to coerce but help each sibling realize how stubborn, resistant, unhelpful and rude they had been, he began to ask them questions about how they would evaluate their stunning performance in doing dishes.

Perceptions varied. Some felt that because they helped, they were unequivocally heroes and deserve praise and lots of ice cream. However, the son in charged decided that attitude was the qualifying attribute and they would get a limited amount of root beer float...Can you see the problem? One child after receiving only a minimal 2.25 inches of sugary goodness in the glass, said, “I’m going to lead cleanup tomorrow night and dish up theirs! And they won’t get any! I’m going to cry myself to sleep for two hours! I’m not going to forgive for a week!”   (She really said that. Those were her words.)

Anger. Crying. Indignation. Unfairness!

Then half an hour later that child came to me and said, “Mom, please read to me.” Well, we have been reading The Kingdom and the Crown by Gerald Lund. We just happened to be at the point where the family listens to Jesus teach his sermon on how to treat others.  He tells them: “love your enemies, do good to them that hate you...resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” I read and read and read. The parallels were obvious. The injustices that the Jews dealt with at the hand of the Romans were terrible. To teach forgiveness would have caused no small stir among the people. It required, higher thinking, higher standards and softer hearts.

Thirty minutes later, this child’s crying stopped, she came out from under the bed covers and looked at peace. I marveled that this particular place in the book was where we picked up our reading last night.   I marveled at the power of Christ's teachings to soften the heart of my child. And mine.

The Dangers of Complaining

This is the title of a brief essay I asked my 11 year old daughter to write. We have been studying Moses and and the children of Israel in the wilderness in home school. One of their chief characteristics at this point seems to be their constant murmuring and powerlessness to act responsibly. I'm sure at least part of that must be a result of coming out of a slavery culture with little freedom.

Part of her essay is as follows:

"If you complain bad things can happen. In the wilderness the children of Israel complained and God told Moses to tell the Israelites to go back to a certain place until they died off. ...God doesn't like it when we complain. Complaining is a bad thing because nothing is too hard for the Lord. Complaining is also a way of showing your ungratitude. The Israelites complained when God just sent them manna and nothing else. Then He sent them quail and did not thank Him... Instead of complaining we should solve the problem ourselves! Instead of complaining we could pray to Heavenly Father to help us too. He does answer everyone's prayers. If we complain it usually makes the problem worse and brings down everyone else. If you complain, it makes it so that in the future your brain is trained that whenever there is a problem you need to complain. Then you are not a very happy person. God doesn't want us to complain!"

Insightful! Our capacity to be grateful, trust God and see blessings is at stake here. Our ability to act with power and faith is a critical characteristic here. Brain training is an issue here.

I was reading from Man's Search For Meaning. Victor Frankl described the prisoners that were set free. He said initially the prisoners had a difficult time comprehending freedom. This made me think. Do we have a difficult time comprehending the tremendous power, strength and freedom available to each one of us? Or do we complain and act helpless when we fail to find options? Complaining is easy. Really easy. Maybe that is why we do it. We recently watched the movie The 10 Commandments together. It is easier to see how futile complaining is in that setting. But we still forget. It is easy to forget. Really easy. Somewhere between burnt toast for breakfast, broken cars, health challenges and more, we fail to see the many good things that are before us daily. To see the good all around us is a pattern worth fighting for - every day. I'm grateful for the incredible examples of my parents, through their challenges, they never complain. It is a stunning contrast to the common patterns around us.

There are many circumstances that are truly difficult. There are difficult situations that should cause us to raise our concerns and complaints through avenues that are productive. This issue here isn't if there is or is not something to complain about, it is about how we move forward. I love this quote by Hartman Rector Jr. for that reason:

"This ability to turn everything into something good appears to be a godly characteristic. Our Heavenly Father always seems able to do this. Everything, no matter how dire, becomes a victory to the Lord. Joseph, although a slave and wholly undeserving of this fate, nevertheless remained faithful to the Lord and continued to live the commandments and made something very good of his degrading circumstances. People like this cannot be defeated..." Live Above the Law to be Free - Ensign Jan 1973

My sister had close to 30 surgeries in 10 years following a waterskiing accident. She died at age 31. I'll tell you what I saw. Pain, difficulty and disappointment beyond belief. Back surgery, stomach surgeries, shoulder surgery and eventually an ileostomy doesn't even begin to cover the medical intervention in her behalf. Years of broken dreams and restructuring of expectations. I'll tell you what else I saw and heard. Toward the end of her life as difficulties arose, she said, "What do I need to learn this time? Let's learn it and move on." Although she died, she was not defeated - people like that "cannot be defeated." They bless the lives of all around them for generations.

A Refuge From the Storm

My oldest son just walked in the door. He left an hour ago in a storm and in the pouring rain on the motorcycle to a job interview. He was quite wet even though he wore a somewhat waterproof jumpsuit. (It probably was waterproof, but not in 40 miles per hour rain.) His grin said that all was well. After hard years of intensive computer science university classes, he is nearing the end of his formal studies and seeking employment in his field of study. Wet, cold, happy and home. Shortly afterwards, we gathered at the table to enjoy warm chicken, vegetable soup and bread and shared the days events. The nurturing qualities of warm food and warm conversation were felt in a sheltered place set apart from the world. I'm so grateful to be able to provide a place for my husband and children to come home for a season before they create their own sacred and holy refuge. From their schools, their studies, their professions, each comes home. Home to the table. C.S. Lewis said: “The home is the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose, and that is to support the ultimate career.”

Come to the table. Come share in the words of Grace Noll Crowell, “my glowing fire, my loaf of bread,” and “my roof’s safe shelter overhead.” Be comforted. I love it as family members walk in the door and gather round the table in a meaningful ritual of the many years we have been together. We come in faithful repetition, but always varying in conversation, excitement and mood. Now, I truly wish I always had nourishing meals. I don’t. I especially seek for enlightening and encouraging conversation at these meals. It doesn’t always happen. But it has happened enough for me to know that there is something there to try again and again to create, something of the holy and sacred, a refuge from the storm.

The table of the Lord is referred to in verse 22 of Ezekiel 41. It is described in conjunction with the house of the Lord, the temple. On it is shewbread, a symbol of the presence of the Lord. As we bless each other at our kitchen tables with our offerings of nourishing food, could it be in the pattern of the Lord that gives us our daily bread, both spiritually and physically? Could words of encouragement be in the pattern of the Lord who sends the fire of his Holy Spirit to teach us and reassure us? Could our safe shelter overhead be in the pattern of the Lord who invites us to his safe shelter; a fortress, a haven of strength as we trust in Him? The patterns and symbols are all around us to instruct us daily. I want my table, my home, to be a haven of strength and a refuge from the storm.

The Kitchen Table

Nearly every home has some center of gathering. Nearly 20 years ago, my husband and I went table hunting. I believe at the time we had three children and one on the way. We found a large solid but simple oak table and 10 chairs and bought it in anticipation of the large family we wanted. Years later, I'm looking at my kitchen table with new eyes and a new heart.

The kitchen is far more than a place to feed my family. It is the gathering place of the most precious people in my life. It is here I catch a glimpse into the hearts of my family. Julie B. Beck said, "True power is found in the hands of a worthy nurturer, especially at mealtimes." What my children share at the kitchen table gives gives insight as to how I can nurture them, serve them and pray for them. It provides the forum for acting upon many of the promptings received from heaven.

Perhaps more than anything it is akin to an altar. An altar is a place of prayer and sacrifice; a symbol of God's presence. A kitchen table is a place to acknowledge and receive God's power. It is a place where my sacrificial offerings of time, food, wisdom, and love can be offered up as well as received. It is also a place of healing. Much of the meaningful and profound is in the mundane. It is in the everyday objects we often overlook, and in the daily actions and events of our lives. The table with all its ordinariness, becomes a sanctuary and a refuge as those who sit around it are nurtured and loved.

After making a list of what can be accomplished at the table, I was astounded. What a powerful tool to strengthen the family. What a great place to begin changing ourselves, our families and the world. What a great place to share ideas, make commitments, discuss ideas and carefully listen. What a great place to offer words of encouragement, share stories, solve problems, comfort and heal. What a powerful and simple way to make changes today.

Sacred and symbolic meaning is ascribed to the altar. It has been associated with the creation of the world. As I participate in the daily food and conversation rites of the kitchen table, I too am involved in a creation - the creation of a family, a family striving to worship God and return to that sacred altar to make sacrifices and covenants with Him.